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COPD: Avoiding Weight Loss

Introduction

Some people with severe
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—especially those with
emphysema—may be underweight and malnourished.

People with COPD often lose weight. When you
lose weight, you lose muscle mass, including the muscles that help you breathe.
This may make breathing more difficult.

Some people
with COPD weigh too little for good health. It's dangerous to become very
underweight.

To avoid losing weight and muscle mass, you
generally need to eat more foods containing fat and protein. Because eating too
much fat and targeting certain nutrients (such as protein) may have health
risks, always consult with your doctor or a
registered dietitian before eating more of these foods
to gain weight.

How do I avoid weight loss in COPD?

If you are
beginning to lose weight and muscle mass, you probably need to eat more protein
and get more calories. This generally means eating more foods containing fat
and protein. Because eating too much fat and targeting certain nutrients (such
as protein) may have health risks, always consult with your doctor or a
registered dietitian before eating more of these foods
to gain weight.

High-calorie, nutritious snacks

Foods that can
help you add nutritious calories to your diet include:

Ice
cream.

Pudding.

Cheese.

Granola
bars.

Custard.

Nachos with
cheese.

Eggs.

Crackers with peanut
butter.

Bagels with peanut butter or cream
cheese.

Cereal with half and half.

Popcorn with
margarine and Parmesan cheese.

High-calorie nutritional
supplements, such as nutrition shakes.

Adding calories to a meal or snack

Adding the
following foods to meals or snacks can help you add calories and protein to
your diet.

Add an egg or egg yolk to meat loaf, macaroni
and cheese, or similar foods. Be sure to cook the food after adding the
egg.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.